ES2671330T3 - Bicycle fixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Bicycle fixing device (100) for attaching a bicycle to a bicycle carrier, comprising a connecting arm (1) in which connection elements (2, 2 ') are provided comprising a clamping component (3) for joining the arm (1) with the bicycle carrier, characterized in that the clamping component (3) has a hand-operated clamping screw (5) by means of a rotary knob (6) and a clamp (7) with two jaws ( 8, 9), the jaws (8, 9) being pivotally mounted with respect to each other on one articulation side (10) of the clamp (7) and the other side of the clamp (7) being configured as a side of the clamping screw (11) on which the clamping screw (5) acts, and the distance (A) of the jaws (8, 9) can be varied by actuating the rotary knob (6), the rotary knob being arranged (6) on the side (F) of the clamping component (3) that is turned towards the connecting side (1).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Bicycle fixing device.

The invention concerns a bicycle fixing device for fixing a bicycle to a bicycle carrier and also relates to a bicycle carrier.

Such bicycle fixing devices and such bicycle carriers are already known. For example, document DE 10 2008 044 702 A1 shows a bicycle carrier with a bicycle fixing device of this class according to the preamble of claim 1. Another document for fixing a bicycle carrier is known from WO 2015/124915 A1. In this case, the relatively complicated handling or accessibility of the immobilization means of the bicycle carrier in a state mounted on the vehicle is disadvantageous.

The invention has raised the problem of creating a bicycle fixation device and a bicycle carrier with a bicycle fixation device, in which the driving comfort is further increased and / or in which the capacity to increase is further increased. load and / or durability.

This problem is solved with the bicycle fixing device reproduced in claim 1 and with the bicycle carrier reproduced in claim 6.

The bicycle fixing device according to the invention serves to fix a bicycle to a bicycle carrier. Bicycles are usually fixed to different places with a bicycle carrier. Most of the time the wheels and the frame of the bicycle are fixed to the bicycle carrier. The bicycle fixing device according to the invention preferably serves to fix a bicycle with its frame to a bicycle carrier. This device has a connecting arm in which connection elements are arranged. The connecting arm is also abbreviated arm in the context of this document. Preferably, exactly one respective connecting element is arranged at each of the two ends of the connecting arm.

The connection elements comprise a clamping component to join the arm with the bicycle carrier. It is preferably that exactly one of the two connecting elements is realized as such a tightening component.

The tightening component has a tightening screw that can be operated by hand by means of a rotary knob. The clamping component comprises a clamp that can be narrowed or widened using the rotary knob. In this way, the clamp can preferably be pressed against the remaining bicycle carrier. The clamp can be advantageously tightened in a rotating manner against the remaining bicycle carrier.

The clamp comprises two jaws pivotally mounted relative to each other and the distance of the jaws can be modified by operating the rotary knob, thereby creating a clamp with a special load capacity.

According to the invention, the rotary knob is arranged on the side of the clamping component that is turned towards the connecting arm. During the fixing of a bicycle on a bicycle carrier the fixing arm is preferably turned towards the user. Since the rotary knob is arranged on the same side of the connecting arm of the clamping component, said knob can be reached by the user in a particularly comfortable way and, therefore, can be operated with full force thereof. The rotary knob can be configured as a nut that can be screwed onto a threaded element. Or the rotary knob comprises a threaded element that can be screwed into a nut.

As connection element it is advantageously provided, in addition to the clamping component - preferably exclusively exclusively - a connecting component that fixes the arm with a bicycle frame. The joint component is advantageously arranged at the other end of the arm opposite to the tightening component.

The connecting arm is preferably tubular in shape. The arm preferably comprises aluminum. The connection elements advantageously comprise plastic. The areas of the arm - preferably its two extreme zones - in which the arm is connected to the connecting elements are called the arm attachment zones within the framework of this document.

The length of the arm is preferably greater than twice, four times, five times or ten times the diameter of the arm. The advantages of the invention are especially manifested in an arm of this length in which, due to the lever action, large forces act between the arm and the clamping component.

The jaws advantageously present a housing for the bicycle carrier. This housing can be configured as a recess of the jaws that is complementary to that of the area of the remaining bicycle carrier where the clamp is tightened in accordance with the stipulations. Advantageously, this area has a cylindrical shape and the recesses of the two jaws together have a shape

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approximately cylindrical hollow.

The jaws are mounted on one side of the housing preferably pivotably with respect to each other by means of a joint. This side is also called the articulation side in the framework of this document. The tightening screw acts on the side on the other side of the housing. This side is also called the tightening screw side within the framework of this document. Thus, the jaws are preferably joined on one side by means of a joint and more preferably are joined on the opposite side by means of the clamping screw.

Advantageously, the jaws extend on the clamping screw side of the housing to a greater extent than on the articulating side of the housing. Therefore, the clamping screw is advantageously farther from the housing than the joint. Therefore, the housing is not advantageously arranged centered on the jaws. The jaws extend on the side of the clamping screw of the housing preferably more than 1.5 times than on the other side. In this way, space is created for the rotary button of the tightening screw.

Mutually opposite surfaces of the jaws run in a tight state of the clamp advantageously at least in approximately one joint plane oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the arm in its area of attachment of the clamping component or run parallel to this plane.

The angle between the longitudinal extension or the axis of rotation of the tightening screw and the longitudinal extension of the arm in the area of attachment of the tightening component is advantageously less than 90 ° or 45 °.

The longitudinal extension of the clamping screw runs advantageously in the tight state of the clamp obliquely to the longitudinal extension of the arm in the area of attachment of the clamping component. The tightening screw is advantageously inclined with the drive button out of this arm joint area. This creates more space for the rotary knob and the user's hand when the rotary knob is operated.

The longitudinal extension of the clamping screw does not advantageously run perpendicular to the mutually opposite sides of the jaws. Due to this oblique tightening of the clamping screw, more space is advantageously created for the rotating knob of the tightening screw. It has been found that the insignificant disadvantages linked to this in the transmission of force of the clamping screw to the jaws are tolerable in favor of the better manageability of the rotary knob.

The tightening screw preferably serves exclusively to tighten the tightening component against the bicycle carrier. The tightening screw does not advantageously also serve to fix the arm to the tightening component. The clamping screw does not act advantageously on the arm. The tightening screw does not advantageously pass through the arm.

An embodiment of the invention also concerns a bicycle fixing device for fixing a bicycle - preferably with the bicycle frame - to a bicycle carrier, with a connecting arm on which connection elements are arranged, producing a rotating union between the arm and a connecting element because a projection defining a rotation axis is provided.

Thanks to the swivel joint, the arm advantageously acquires the necessary adjustment freedom during the fixing process of a bicycle.

The joint is advantageously rotatable in 360 °.

The projection is advantageously supported axially and radially.

Advantageously, the projection defines a rotation axis and more preferably it is constructed as a bolt. The length of the projection is advantageously greater than the diameter of the arm. In this way, a premise is created so that flexural forces can be absorbed well between the arm and the connecting element.

In principle, it is imaginable that the projection is fixedly arranged on the arm. However, the projection is preferably arranged fixedly in the connection element. Therefore, the connecting element preferably comprises the projection. The projection extends more preferably into the interior of the connecting arm.

The longitudinal extension of the projection coincides advantageously with the longitudinal extension of the connecting arm in the respective area of joining of the arm. Advantageously, the projection is fixedly arranged in the connection element. The projection can be composed of a plastic zone configured in one piece with the remaining connection element and a metal zone that extends said plastic zone. A special load capacity can thus be achieved.

Advantageously, the swivel joint between the arm and the connecting element comprises axial bearings and radial bearings, each preferably configured as a plain bearing.

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The connecting element advantageously provides axial bearing surfaces and more preferably also radial bearing surfaces, preferably exactly two in each case. The radial bearing surfaces or areas thereof may be at least approximately spaced apart in the length of the projection in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the projection.

A first axial bearing surface of the connecting element may be formed by a washer that can be fixed to the free end of the projection.

A second axial bearing surface of the connecting element may be formed by an annular surface of the connecting element that runs around the foot of the projection.

A first radial bearing surface of the connecting element may be formed by an advantageously cylindrical casing surface of the projection, in particular by areas thereof disposed in the vicinity of its free end.

A second radial bearing surface of the connecting element is advantageously constructed as a shoulder arranged around the foot of the projection. The shoulder can have a hollow cylindrical shape. The radial bearing surface may be formed by the inner surface of the shoulder.

When the arm is fixedly connected with a rotating connector that is rotatably mounted on a connecting element, a special load capacity can then be achieved. The swivel connector is advantageously rotatably mounted at least also on the projection. The swivel connector is advantageously configured in a cylindrical shape and especially preferably in a hollow cylindrical shape. The swivel connector preferably comprises plastic or is formed by it. It can be glued and / or pressed and / or cast with the arm. The swivel connector is advantageously arranged inside the arm and more preferably ends at least almost in bundles with the corresponding end of the arm.

The swivel connector advantageously provides radial bearing surfaces and axial bearing surfaces that cooperate with the axial bearing surfaces and radial bearing surfaces of the connecting element.

A first axial bearing counter surface of the rotating connector may be formed by a stop in the form of a surface oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the rotating connector. This stop may be formed by the front side of the rotating connector that faces out from the free end of the arm on which the rotating connector is arranged. The stop may be arranged inside the rotating connector, formed, for example, by the shoulder of an axial bore of the rotating connector, on which the washer can rest.

A second axial bearing counter surface of the rotating connector may be formed by the front side of the rotating connector which faces towards the free end of the arm on which the rotating connector is arranged and preferably preferably ends at least approximately in bundles with the free end of the arm. This axial bearing counter surface is preferably in contact with the annular surface of the connector element that runs around the foot of the projection.

Therefore, the connecting element advantageously provides an annular surface that runs around the foot of the projection and cooperates with the front surface of the rotating connector and transmits to the connecting element the pressure forces exerted on the arm.

A first radial bearing counter surface of the rotating connector may be formed by the walls of an axial bore that runs therein and is preferably in contact with the cylindrical casing surface of the projection.

A second radial bearing counter surface of the rotating connector is preferably formed by the casing surface thereof, especially at its end turned towards the free end of the arm. This surface is preferably in contact with the shoulder arranged around the foot of the projection. The enclosure surface of the rotating connector advantageously has a larger diameter area that is applied to the arm from within. The enclosure surface of the rotating connector advantageously has an area of smaller diameter that can also be arranged inside the arm and that can fit into the shoulder of the connecting element arranged around the foot of the projection to be housed therein.

Therefore, the connecting element preferably provides a shoulder that runs around the foot of the projection and acts as a radial bearing surface. Advantageously, the rotating connector fits into this shoulder and transmits to it the tilt forces exerted on the arm.

Therefore, the connecting element preferably provides at least one bearing surface for the rotating connector that is arranged at a certain distance from the projection around it, preferably especially around the foot of the projection.

Advantageously, a rotating union between the arm and two of its elements is produced in the same manner.

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Connection. Thanks to the two swivel joints the joint component can be advantageously brought to the desired position during the fixing process and can be more preferably taken in this position to the desired rotation position.

Advantageously, in the fixing device according to the invention the functionality of the clamping component and the connecting component is dissociated from the bicycle fixing process and more preferably the problem of breakage and separation during the use of the fixing device is eliminated.

The turning capacity of the arm is advantageously guaranteed by the swivel joint with the clamping component regardless of the secure clamping of the clamping component against the bicycle carrier. The same applies advantageously for the joint component and the attachment to the bicycle frame.

The projection is advantageously configured as a coupling pin and connection means are more preferably provided for joining the coupling pin with the arm or with the rotating connector. In the embodiment with a rotating connector, connection means are provided for joining the coupling pin with the rotating connector.

The coupling pin preferably has a thread, in particular an outer thread, advantageously at its free end. The joining means preferably comprise a threaded element, advantageously a nut. The coupling pin is advantageously made of metal at least its free end. The joining means are also advantageously made of metal. They advantageously comprise a washer.

The arm advantageously ends with the connecting element. Therefore, it preferably reaches the connection element. Advantageously, the swivel connector is not visible from the outside.

The invention also concerns a bicycle carrier with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with the aid of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings. They show:

Figure 1, an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a bicycle fixing device according to the invention;

Figure 2, a view as in Figure 1, but in assembled state;

Figure 3, a side representation of a detail of Figure 2;

Figure 4, a perspective representation of a clamping component with swivel connector attached;

Figure 5, a representation as in Figure 4, the swivel connector not still attached to the clamping component;

Figure 6, a perspective representation of a component of a joint with a rotating connector attached thereto;

Figure 7, a representation as in Figure 6, but with a swivel connector not yet connected;

Figure 8, a perspective representation of a bicycle fixing device mounted on a bicycle carrier; Y

Figure 9, a perspective representation of a bicycle carrier known by the state of the art.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the shown embodiment of the bicycle fixing device designated as a whole with 100 comprises a curved connecting arm 1 in which a respective connecting element 2, 2 'is arranged on each side. One of the two connection elements 2 comprises a clamping component 3 for fixing the arm to a bicycle carrier. The other of the two connection components 2 'comprises a connection component 4 for fixing the arm to a tube of a bicycle frame.

The clamping component 3 comprises a clamp 7 that includes two jaws 8, 9 that are joined together with

pivotable manner by means of a joint 13 around an articulation axis W. On the side 11 opposite the joint side 10 a clamping screw 5 with a hand-operated rotary knob 6 is arranged. By rotating the rotary knob 6, the distance A between the jaws 8, 9 can be varied and thus the clamp 7 can be narrowed or widened. As shown in Figure 8, the clamp 7 can be tightened around a tube of a bicycle carrier T and it is then arranged in this tube in a caring manner in rotation.

For example, Figure 3 shows that the rotary knob 6 is arranged on the F side of the clamping component 3 which

it is turned towards the connecting arm 1 and is not arranged, for example, on the G side of the connecting component 3

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that is far from the union arm 1.

Figure 3 also shows that the jaws 8, 9 have a housing 12 for the bicycle carrier and that the jaws 8, 9 extend more on the screw side 11 of the housing 12 than on the articulation side 10 of the housing 12. In this way, space is created for the rotary button 6 on the side 11 of the clamping screw.

As also shown in Fig. 3, the angle a between the longitudinal extension S of the tightening screw 5 and the longitudinal direction L of the arm 1 is less than 45 ° in its junction zone. In the embodiment shown, this angle is approximately 30 °. It can also be seen that the mutually opposite sides of the jaws 8, 9 run parallel to a plane E that is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension L of the arm 1 in the junction zone B. It can be seen that the longitudinal extension S of the screw of tightening 5 does not run perpendicularly to the mutually opposite sides of the jaws, that is, perpendicular to the plane E. It has been found that the insignificant disadvantages linked to this in the transmission of the force are tolerable in favor of the better manageability of the rotary knob 6.

Figures 2 to 7 show in combination with figure 1 that a rotating union Z always occurs between the arm 1 and the clamping component 3 (figures 4, 5), as well as the joint component 4 (figures 6, 7) because in the clamping component 3 and in the connecting component 4 a projection 14 is defined which defines a rotation axis C. The projection 14 extends in the connecting arm 1 and the direction V of its longitudinal extension coincides with the direction of the longitudinal extension L of the connecting arm 1 in the joining area B, B '(see also figure 3).

The projection 14 is not directly connected with the arm 1, but is connected in each case by means of a rotating connector 15 which in turn is fixedly connected with the arm 1. This rotating connector 15 is rotatably mounted with the aid of the projection 14 in the clamping component 3 or in the connecting component 4.

The projection 14 has an outer thread at its free metal end and connecting means 18 are provided comprising a washer and a nut, with which the connecting connector 15 is fixed by means of its stop disposed inside and not recognizable In the figures. The swivel connector has an approximately hollow cylindrical shape.

It follows from Figures 1 and 7 that the projection 14 has a length Y that is at least as large as the diameter X of the arm 1. The arm 1 is formed by a curved aluminum tube 1 with a circular cross-section.

Each connecting element 2, 2 'provides a radial bearing surface 16 and an axial bearing surface 17 for the rotating connector 15 which are both arranged around the projection 14 at a certain distance from said projection 14 (Figures 4 to 7). The radial bearing surface 16 is formed by the inner surface of a hollow cylindrical shoulder 19 of the connecting element 2, 2 '.

Figure 9 shows a bicycle carrier T known by the prior art, in which the bicycle fixing device 100 according to the invention could be arranged.

List of reference symbols

100 Bicycle fixation device

I Union Arm

2, 2 'Connection elements

3 Tightening component

4 Binding component

5 Tightening screw

6 rotary knob

7 Clamp

8, 9 Jaws

10 Joint side

II Tightening screw side

12 Bike rack housing

13 Clamp joint

14 Outgoing

15 Swivel connector

16, 17 18 19 a

5 A B, B C E F

10 G L S T

V

15 W X

AND Z

Bearing surfaces Joint means Highlight Angle

Jaw distance Arm junction zone

Rotating axis of the swivel arm joint on the connecting element

Plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the arm in the joint area

Side of the clamping component turned towards the connecting arm

Side of the clamping component away from the connecting arm

Longitudinal extension of the arm in the joint area

Longitudinal extension of the tightening screw

Bicycle carrier

Longitudinal projection extension Joint axis Arm diameter Projection length Swivel joint

Claims (5)

1. Bicycle fixing device (100) for attaching a bicycle to a bicycle carrier, comprising a connecting arm (1) in which connection elements (2, 2 ') are provided comprising a clamping component (3 ) to join the arm (1) with the bicycle carrier, characterized in that the clamping component (3) has a 5 hand-tightening screw (5) by means of a rotary knob (6) and a clamp (7) with two jaws (8, 9), the jaws (8, 9) being mounted pivotably one with respect to other on one side of articulation (10) of the clamp (7) and the other side of the clamp (7) being configured as a clamping screw side (11) on which the clamping screw (5) acts, and the distance (A) of the jaws (8, 9) can be varied by actuating the rotary knob (6), the rotary knob (6) being arranged on the side (F) of the component of 10 tighten (3) that is turned towards the joining side (1). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the jaws (8, 9) have a housing (12) for the bicycle carrier and said jaws extend more on the side (11) of the clamping screw than on the side (10) of the joint. 3. Bicycle fixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a swivel joint (Z) is provided between the connecting arm (1) and the connecting element (2, 2 '). that is produced because in the connecting element (2, 2 ') there is provided a projection (14) that defines a rotation axis (C) and that extends in the connecting arm (1). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting arm (1) is fixedly connected with a rotating connector (15) which is rotatably mounted on a connecting element (2, 2 '). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the connecting element (2, 2 ') provides at least a bearing surface (16, 17) for the rotary connector (15) that is arranged at a distance from the projection (14) around said projection (14). 6. Bicycle carrier with a device according to any of the preceding claims.